Opened in 1996, Coronado Brewing Company is one of San Diego’s eldest brewing operations. The last year was one of, if not the biggest for the island-based company. Several months ago, CBC opened a second, larger brewery and tasting room on the mainland in the Tecolote Canyon area near Bay Park, and upped distribution of its beers to new states and countries. Last but not least, its brew crew developed the first in a new, annual celebratory offering—Coronado 17th Anniversary Specialty Ale.

An imperial India pale ale registering at 9.5% alcohol-by-volume and 90 on the international bittering unit scale, it’s as mammoth as the year that inspired it. Citra, Green Bullet, Pacific Gem, Pacific Jade, and Wakatu hops make for a potent bouquet marked by peach, mango, and evergreen aromas. On the tongue, the beer comes on strong with hop bitterness. But instead of coating or hanging around like pine sap, a balanced malt bill allows the hops to crash and retreat like a wave on a San Diego shore.

From here out, CBC will brew a specialty ale to welcome each coming year, but the style will be different each time. This limited-edition beer hit markets here and throughout the country this week. It is available on draft as well as in 22-ounce bottles sporting gold paint. Also debuting for CBC in the near future is Last Spike Not-So-Common IPA, a collaboration with Tampa, Florida standout brewery Cigar City Brewing which will be sold in 750-millilitre bottles and be on-tap at CBC’s tasting room.